speaking very slowly, and in a low tone, 'when I
am dead, mammy, when you are all by yourself, for I am sure you will stay
by me to the last, I want you to put this ring on the third finger of my
left hand--will you remember?--on the third finger of my left hand.' She
said it over twice, ma'am, and she was whiter than that rose that lays on
her poor breast.'

"'Miss Ellen,' says I, 'as sure as there's a God in heaven you are Mr.
Lee's wife, and why don't you say so, and stand up for yourself? Don't you
see how people sneer at you when they see you?'

"'Yes, but don't say any more. It will soon be over. I made a promise, and
I will keep it; God will do me justice when he sees fit.'

"'But, Miss Ellen,' says I, 'for the sake of the child'--

"'Hush! mammy, that is the worst of all; but I will trust in Him. It's a
dreadful sin to love as I have, but God has punished me. Do you remember,
dear mammy, when I was a child, how tired I would get, chasing butterflies
while the day lasted, and when night came, how I used to spring, and try to
catch the lightning-bugs that were flying around me--and you used to beg me
to come in and rest or go to bed, but I would not until I could no longer
stand; then I laid myself on your breast and forgot all my weariness? So it
is with me now; I have had my own way, and I have suffered, and have no
more strength to spend; I will lie down in the grave, and sleep where no
one will reproach me. Promise me you will do what I ask you, and I will die
contented.'

"'I promised her, ma'am, and I have done it.'

"'It is very strange, Lucy,' said I, 'there seems to have been a mysterious
reason why she would not clear herself; but it is of no use to try and
unravel the mystery. She has no friends left to care about it; we can only
do as she said, leave all to God.'

"'Ah ma'am,' said Lucy, 'what shall I do now she is gone? I have got no
friend left; if I could only die too--Lord have mercy upon me.'

"'You have still a friend, Lucy,' I said. 'One that well deserves the name
of friend. You must seek Him out, and make a friend of Him. Jesus Christ is
the friend of the poor and desolate. Have you no children, Lucy?'

"'God only knows, ma'am.'

"'What do you mean?' I said. 'Are they all dead?'

"'They are gone, ma'am--all sold. I ain't seen one of them for twenty
years. Days have come and gone, and nights have come and gone, but day and
night is all the same to me. You did not hear, may be, for gr